Gay Guide Paraguay

Homosexuality is not mentioned in Paraguayan legislation. The age of consent for homosexuals is 16 years, for heterosexuals 14. However, if a judge considers a perpetrator being gay means that he is "perverse", he may decide on a more severe sentence. Since 1992, the constitution has defined marriage as a liaison exclusively between a woman and a man. In January 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) affirmed that the American Convention on Human Rights requires the opening of marriage to all. The Supreme Court of Costa Rica then ordered marriage to be opened in the country by 2020 - LGBT organisations in other Latin American countries - including Paraguay - were hopeful. The rights to freedom of expression and not to be discriminated against because of one's sexual orientation, together with the general freedom of the press, are clearly enshrined in international agreements. They are also mentioned in the national constitution (Articles 25 and 46) and numerous other national regulations.